# Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, Unicorn > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Kraft - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Canned & Packaged Goods - **Size:** 5.50 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/kraft-macaroni-cheese-dinner-unicorn-550-oz - **Slug:** `kraft-macaroni-cheese-dinner-unicorn-550-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains industrially formulated cheese powder with emulsifiers and phosphate salts, and shaped enriched pasta — characteristic of ultraprocessed foods made from multiple processed ingredients and additives. ## Review Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, Unicorn (Super Mario Power-Up Shapes) is a boxed, licensed pasta meal you’d find on the dry pasta & boxed meals aisle, shelved with other instant mac & cheese varieties and family-oriented convenience dinners. Packaged in a cardboard box containing a plastic bag of shaped elbow-style pasta and a foil packet of cheese sauce mix, it’s designed for quick preparation: boil water, cook the shaped pasta 11–12 minutes, stir in butter and milk with the powdered cheese and serve. The product leans heavily on kid-focused, nostalgic branding — Kraft’s long-standing family-friendly name paired with Super Mario power-up shapes — appealing to parents shopping for playful weeknight dinners and millennials who remember Kraft from childhood. Marketing emphasizes fun, comfort and ease, with label claims like “no artificial flavors, preservatives or dyes” prominently displayed; there’s no organic certification and ingredient lists show common processed additives (phosphate salts, citric and lactic acids) and dairy derivatives. In plain terms, this is a highly processed convenience food: industrially made shaped pasta plus a formulated cheese powder that melts into a creamy, neon-tinged sauce. Sensory notes when prepared: tender, slightly chewy pasta shaped like mushrooms and stars; a smooth, clingy, salty cheese sauce that tastes sweet and savory with a creamy mouthfeel. Rituals around use include quick stovetop cooking, optional butter or extra cheese for richness, and serving as a playful side for kids’ lunches, quick dinners, or themed parties. It sits culturally at the intersection of comfort food and licensed novelty — familiar, convenient, and designed to make mealtime entertaining and fast. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 2.5 oz - **Servings per container:** 2 - **Calories:** 250 - **Total fat:** 2g (3% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 0.5g (3% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 5mg (2% DV) - **Sodium:** 490mg (21% DV) - **Total carbs:** 49g (18% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 2g (7% DV) - **Total sugars:** 8g - **Protein:** 9g ## Ingredients MACARONI PRODUCT (ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE (IRON), THIAMIN MONONITRATE (VITAMIN B1), RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), FOLIC ACID], WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR); CHEESE SAUCE MIX (WHEY, MILKFAT, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SALT, CALCIUM CARBONATE, SODIUM TRIPHOSPHATE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, LACTIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, MILK, WITH PAPRIKA, ANNATTO, AND TURMERIC ADDED FOR COLOR, ENZYMES, CHEESE CULTURE, SODIUM CASEINATE). ## Flagged ingredients - **sodium triphosphate** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **sodium phosphate** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **sodium caseinate** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **paprika** (additive): Artificial coloring - **annatto** (additive): Artificial coloring - **turmeric** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, weeknight-dinner, movie-night - **Vibes:** nostalgic, convenient, playful, comforting ## FAQ ### Is Kraft Unicorn Mac and Cheese healthy? Well, 'healthy' can be a bit subjective! If you're looking for a quick and comforting meal, this mac and cheese can certainly hit the spot. It does have some vitamins and minerals, like calcium and iron, but it’s also relatively high in sodium and doesn’t pack a punch in the fiber department. So, consider it a treat rather than a health food. ### Is Kraft Unicorn Mac and Cheese vegan? Nope, this mac and cheese is not vegan. It contains dairy ingredients, including whey and milk fat, which are no-goes for a plant-based diet. So, if you're looking for a vegan option, you might want to check out some of the newer plant-based mac and cheese brands popping up! ### Is it gluten-free? Sadly, Kraft Unicorn Mac and Cheese is not gluten-free. The main ingredient, enriched wheat flour, contains gluten, which can be a dealbreaker for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. If you're looking for a gluten-free mac option, there are plenty of alternatives made with rice or chickpea pasta on the market. ### Does it contain seed oils? Nope, this mac and cheese doesn't include any seed oils, which is a win for those watching out for them. Instead, it relies on dairy fats for its creamy texture. While seed oils can be a concern for some, it's nice to see this classic comfort food sticking to more traditional ingredients. ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? No artificial sweeteners here! Kraft Unicorn Mac and Cheese keeps things straightforward without any of those sweetening agents. It does have a bit of sugar, but it comes from lactose in the dairy, so you can rest easy on that front. ### Is it high in sugar? Not really! With only 8 grams of total sugars per serving, it's not considered high in sugar, especially compared to some snacks and desserts. Most of that sugar is naturally occurring from the dairy, so you won't find added sugars lurking in the ingredient list. ### What are healthier alternatives? If you’re looking for something a little more nutrient-dense, consider brands that offer whole grain or veggie-based mac and cheese. There are also options that use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without the dairy. Or, you could whip up a homemade version with whole wheat pasta, real cheese, and some added veggies for a healthier twist! ### Can kids eat it? Absolutely! Kids love mac and cheese, and this colorful Unicorn version is sure to be a hit with its fun appeal. Just keep an eye on portion sizes, especially since it does have a bit of sodium, but it can definitely fit into a balanced meal. ### Is it good for weight loss? While Kraft Unicorn Mac and Cheese can certainly be part of a weight loss plan, it’s best enjoyed in moderation. It’s not particularly high in protein or fiber, which can help keep you feeling full, so pairing it with a side of veggies or a salad might be a good idea if you’re watching your weight. ### Is it ultra-processed? Yes, this mac and cheese can be considered ultra-processed. It contains ingredients that are modified for texture and flavor, like sodium triphosphate and artificial colors. But hey, sometimes a little processed comfort food is just what you need, right? Just balance it out with whole foods in your diet! ## Related products - [Dole 4 Pack, Cherry Mixed Fruit in Light Syrup](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/dole-4-pack-cherry-mixed-fruit-in-light-syrup-16-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/dole-4-pack-cherry-mixed-fruit-in-light-syrup-16-oz - [Snapdragon Pho Bowl Veg Vietnamese](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/snapdragon-pho-bowl-veg-vietnamese-210-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/snapdragon-pho-bowl-veg-vietnamese-210-oz - [Mrs. Grass Soup Mix, Chicken Noodle](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mrs-grass-soup-mix-chicken-noodle-420-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mrs-grass-soup-mix-chicken-noodle-420-oz - [GoGo Squeeze Applesauce On the Go, Apple Apple](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/gogo-squeez-squeeze-applesauce-on-the-go-apple-apple-1280-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/gogo-squeez-squeeze-applesauce-on-the-go-apple-apple-1280-oz - [Mott's Fruitsations Applesauce, Strawberry](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/motts-fruitsations-applesauce-strawberry-24-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/motts-fruitsations-applesauce-strawberry-24-oz - [Bumble Bee Fancy White Crabmeat](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bumble-bee-fancy-white-crabmeat-6-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bumble-bee-fancy-white-crabmeat-6-oz - [Dm Diced Pears 4Pk](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/del-monte-dm-diced-pears-4pk-16-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/del-monte-dm-diced-pears-4pk-16-oz - [Bellino Filet of Anchovies in Olive Oil and Salt](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bellino-filet-of-anchovies-in-olive-oil-and-salt-425-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bellino-filet-of-anchovies-in-olive-oil-and-salt-425-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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